M1 VISA Preparing to Come

VISA: If you are coming to the USA for flight training you will need a M-1 student visa. Please contact us if you have any difficulty with this process. After paying your deposit and completing the course enrolment form you should schedule an interview for an M-1 visa with your closest US Embassy. Schedule this appointment 2-3 weeks in advance to allow time for your official I-20 form and a letter of acceptance to arrive.

While waiting for the official I-20 visa form, SEVIS I901 receipt, and a letter of acceptance to come (approx. 14 days) fill in forms DS156, 157 (if age 16-45) and 158. All forms are available below and under the ‘Forms’ section of this website.

NOTE: Please send us copy of all the above information

THE ONLY WAY to schedule an appointment for an interview is by calling the Operator Assisted Visa Information Service. Hours are Monday through Friday 8.00 am and 8.00 pm, and Saturday-9.00 am and 4.00 pm.

You will need to complete the TSA Back Ground Check procedure before starting your flight training. Contact us for instructions or see below more details for TSA Registration.

US Embassy Visa Wait time: CLICK HERE TO SEE VISA WAIT TIME.

Other Important Requirements

1. You must be 17 years old to earn and hold a Private Pilot License
2. You must be 18 years old to earn and hold a Commercial Pilot License.
3. You must be able to read, speak, write and understand English
4. You must be able to pass and hold a Class ll FAA Medical Examination
5. You must purchase a Medical/Accident Insurance Policy for the time you will train at SimCenter(for the ab-initio student only).

TSA REGISTRATION Transportation Security Administration

All Non-US Citizens seeking flight training in the USA are required by law to register with the United States Transportation Security Administration(TSA) before starting their training. Please see below how to register online.

A: Alien Flight Student Program(AFSP) online application process. Create a new student account at https://www.flightschoolcandidates.gov

B: The student completes the TSA online training request forms. Here are some info that will be requested: residence and citizenship; places and terms of employment; details of the requested training; and
other background information. Category 4 student will be process by SimCenter.

Note: Course Request Type; flight training are referred to number 1-4, all ab-initio students are category 3, jet bridge or initial type rating students are category 1, student with time on aircraft with MTGW of 5700 kg or more are category 2 and category 4 is for students with time on type (above 5700kg).

C: After you validate and submit your application for flight training, your flight training provider will be notified via email and required to validate or reject knowledge of your intent to receive flight training with them. If the flight training provider validates your request, you will receive e-mail notification and must submit payment via the AFSP website.

D: Once TSA receives confirmation of your payment, you will receive e-mail notification with instructions on how to submit fingerprints (if required). An approval email will be sent to both candidate and training provider. 

• Candidates in Categories 1,2 and 4 are required to wait until approval from TSA before commencing training. You and the provider will both be notified when final approval to train is granted.
  
  
• Candidates in Category 3 may commence training upon payment of the application fee and acknowledgement of receipt of their fingerprints by TSA. You and the provider will both be notified once TSA receives the fingerprints and you have permission to initiate training.
  
  
• If you should have questions throughout the application process please view the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) link or you can contact the Alien Flight Student Program Help Desk at AFSP.help@dhs.gov or (571) 227-4544.
  
  
• TSA registration, please use the following codes.
   
  1) Course ID: 001
  2) Aircraft Category (see note for applicable category)
  

SimCenter is not responsible for the content of the websites mentioned above and has no control over requested documentation, procedures, or customer service matters.